Rahul demands apology from Bhagwat for “disrespecting martyrs and Army”

Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat continues to face criticism for his remarks implying that RSS activists are more competent in combat role than the Army.

Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Monday criticised the Mohan Bhagwat for his comments. In a scathing tweet, Gandhi demanded apology from RSS after Bhagwat questioned "preparedness of Indian Army to fight enemies at border". Rahul tweeted, "The RSS chief's speech is an insult to every Indian, because it disrespects those who have died for our nation. It is an insult to our flag because it insults every soldier who ever saluted it. Shame on you Mr Bhagwat, for disrespecting our martyrs and our Army"

While addressing a rally in Muzaffarpur, Bihar on Sunday, RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat said “Ours is not a military organisation, but we have military discipline. And if the country requires it and the Constitution… then the Army would take six to seven months to get ready, our volunteers will take three days. This is our capability. Sangh is neither a military nor a para military organisation, rather it is like a “parivarik sangathan” (family organisation) where discipline is practised like the Army”

Bhagwat is on a 10-day visit to Muzaffarpur district in north Bihar, where the BJP had not fared well in the 2015 Assembly poll. This is his third visit to the state in the last six months.

Chief Minister of Kerala Pinarayi Vijayan has also asked RSS chief to apologise for his comments on the army. Pinarayi Vijayan said in a Facebook post, “RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s comments on Indian Army are in poor taste, against Constitutional propriety; confirms our worst fears about the Sangh that it has no respect for India’s institutions. His statement exposes RSS’s hidden agenda to float parallel militias to wreak havoc, crush national unity. RSS wants to turn India into Mussolini’s Italy and Hitler’s Germany. Parallel Army he is talking about is what we have always warned against: Hindu Terror. Running down the army amounts to treason. RSS chief must apologise to the people of india for this treacherous remark. PM Shri. Narendra Modi should clarify his Govt’s position over Bhagwat belittling Indian Army.”

Gujarat MLA Jignesh Mevani has also tweeted against Bhagwat’s comment and asked his men to sell pakodas, so that youth can be given jobs by Modi government.

"RSS is an army of underwear clad men who spark riots across nation. I urge your people to go sell pakodas across country so that Modi can give government jobs to youth of our country," Mevani tweeted.

Whereas Hardik Patel has said that no one in the country needs to learn patriotism from Bhagwat and a case should be registered against Bhagwat for calling Indian Army weak.